Ala. Code § 45-49-83.20
The governing body of any city or town in any county in the State of Alabama having, according to the last or any future federal census, a population in excess of 300,000 inhabitants and less than 600,000 inhabitants may, notwithstanding the provisions of any other statute of Alabama, in its sole discretion, by the adoption of a resolution or ordinance, provide for the creation of the position or positions of assistant city attorney, under the title of senior assistant city attorney, principal assistant city attorney, full-time assistant city attorney, assistant city attorney, or other appropriate title, on a full-time basis. The ordinances or resolution may provide that any person or persons holding any full-time assistant city attorney position or positions shall be placed on the employment roster of any civil service or merit system in the county, without examination, and without any decrease in salary and the position or positions shall thereafter remain subject to the statutes and rules and regulations of any civil service or merit system in the county.
Ala. Code § 45-49-83.20 (1975)